Lump growing on SAE

[firestorm]

One of my SAE's has a weird lump on his side right where his pectoral fin is. I first noticed this about 2 weeks ago. Does anyone have any clue what this might be? I will try and get a picture if I can. But it basically just looks like a bulge where his pectoral fin meets his side. He was eating and swimming around just fine until the last day, now he is hiding in the plants and isn't eating, and his breathing has increased. I don't know if this is some sort of tumor or what, but are tumors treatable? I think it might be too late for him now, anyone think I should just try and catch him and put him out of his misery? Seems like my SAE's have taken the liking to eating the food I put in for the other fish, and don't eat as much of the algae wafers anymore. :frown:

[CACAdmin]

I am no expert and have no experience with SAE's but to me the lump sounds like it could be a tumor, as you suspect. If so, it may have reached the stage of affecting his breathing or something. However, his recent symptoms could be something totally unrelated... maybe an infection.

If it were me, I'd try putting him in a q-tank, add a little salt (if SAE's tolerate it), keep the lights out and see if he perks up at all.

[firestorm]

It's too late for that. I found him floating yesterday when I got home :( I think if I had been able to treat him as soon as I noticed it I might have been able to save him, or he might not have been able to be saved. I have him in a bag in my fridge right now, was going to dissect him, lol don't know if this will be of any help though. Just wanted to cut open the lump and see what I can find.

[CACAdmin]

Sorry to hear you lost him. If you do choose to satisfy your curiosity by disecting the lump, let us know if you were able to determine anything.

[firestorm]

I actually forgot about him in the fridge......oops:twitcy:

A week later I remembered him, but I think he was too far rotten to do any kind of dissecting. None of my other fish have gotten the same thing, so I am thinking it must have been some internal growth or tumor. Something that obviously wasn't highly contagious.